6 Ways You Can Help Save Captive Killer Whales Right Now
If you’ve ever wondered what one person can do for caged orcas, this is for you. By David Kirby David Kirby has been a professional journalist for 25 years. ‘What Can I Do?’ Ever since my book Death At SeaWorld was released, nearly a year ago, I have received countless emails from concerned readers, who were so disturbed by the lives of killer whales in glass and concrete tanks owned by powerful corporations that they wanted to do something to help. But how? Emily Vargo, a Spanish teacher from Maryland, for example, told me about how her father, a former SeaWorld employee, who is now “very critical of the treatment of park animals,” read her excerpts from the book. “I cried and asked him to stop—I couldn’t take it!” she wrote. “I just wanted to write … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Article, Conservation, Divetalking, Dolphin, Earth, Education, extinction, Killer Whale, ocean, Orca, Preservation, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Report
Aquatica Housing + Canon 5D Mark II For Sale
              Everything you see in the pictures is for sale. Everything works! Even the optional equipment. Click on any picture for a larger view [singlepic id=995 w= h= float=left][singlepic id=996 w= h= float=left] [singlepic id=997 w= h= float=left][singlepic id=998 w= h= float=left] This is a great rig for someone wanting to get into digital photography, both above and below the surface. An Aquatica Housing for a Canon 5D Mark II with dual Nikonos ports Ultralight Arms + all Clamps Focus light mount Canon 5D Mark … Read entire article »
Filed under: Aquatica, Cameras, Canon, Diver, Divetalking, Featured, For Sale, Housing, Photography, Products, Promotions, Reference, Videography
The Cave at Blue Grotto
              For many years, Blue Grotto, located in Williston Florida was known for the large and spacious cavern. Through the years, Open Water divers, cavern, cave and students made their way to train, explore and work on their skills. [singlepic id=993 w= h= float=center] Hidden in the back of the property was a a secure pathway leading down to an area closed to all divers. A Cave. When Blue Grotto was sold and transferred to new ownership in 2013, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cave, Cavern, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Open Water, Promotions, Recognition, Reference, Report, Springs
Mexico tourism tax increase from 14 to 19%
We have just been informed that the tourism tax for the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico is about to increase from 14 to 19%. This will effect Cozumel, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Isla Mujeres. This higher tax rate is slated to take effect on January 1, 2014. Most hotels are not allowing to prepay to avoid the increase. … Read entire article »
POSEIDON SE7EN
              Poseidon Diving Systems Introducing the POSEIDON SE7EN [singlepic id=985 w= h= float=center] GET CLOSER TO MARINE LIFE MUCH MORE TIME UNDERWATER PATENTED SAFETY TECHNOLOGY PLUG AND PLAY EXPANDABLE SYSTEM (REC & TECH OPTIONS) PROVEN PERFORMANCE The POSEIDON SE7EN comes with a great range of options, accessories and upgrades. Fully customizable, the next generation rebreather can be configured as a recreational rebreather or a full-spec, 100M-rated technical rebreather We would like to hear from you! If you have any suggestions please let us know by Emailing Suzette! We would like to know … Read entire article »
Filed under: Divetalking, Featured, ocean, Open Water, Products, Rebreather, Rebreathers, Reference
Lionfish, It’s whats for dinner
              [singlepic id=743 w= h= float=center] You’re just know hearing our this fish called a Lionfish. Perhaps you already know what a Lionfish is. Perhaps you have never harvested, or even tasted lionfish. So where do you find lionfish to eat? You can acquire the sumptuous delicacy by harvesting them yourself or from divers who do harvest. Perhaps stores in the area offer lionfish. What is becoming more popular is finding lionfish on the menu, at local restaurants around the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Reefs, Reference
Airlines Might Just Hold the Secret to Ending Dolphin Captures at the Cove
              By David Kirby If a dolphin were captured by Japanese fishermen and sold at great profit to a faraway amusement park, but no one was willing to fly the animal there, would the fishermen want to capture more dolphins? Probably not. That thinking has fueled a growing international effort to convince the world’s airlines and airfreight companies not to fly marine mammals captured from the wild to theme parks and aquariums. Citing the severe stress placed on … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Dolphin, Donation, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, ocean, Open Water, Preservation, Recognition, Reference, Report
Lionfish workshops throughout the Southeast United States
              Greetings Lionfish Enthusiasts! As part of our efforts to address the lionfish invasion to the western Atlantic, REEF received a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service Aquatic Invasive Species Program to organize and lead lionfish workshops throughout the Southeast United States. Workshop topics include background of the invasion, lionfish biology, ecological impacts, current research findings, market development, and ways to get involved, with an emphasis on safe collecting and handling tools and techniques. We have … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Convention, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Events, Expo, Featured, Fish, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training
REEF Webinars / Fishinars
              Some call them webinars. We call ’em Fishinars! Fishie fun in the comfort of your own home. Great for first-timers or those wanting a review. These short, free webinars will teach you the finer points of identifying fish and invertebrates underwater. We use common names, not scientific names, and focus on how to ID each critter. Fishinars help divers learn how to become citizen scientists and help monitor marine life on their recreational dives. Data gathered goes into … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Dive Planner, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Featured, Fish, Grouper, ocean, Preservation, Quiz, Reefs, Reference, Sharks, Training, Tuna, Turtles
MIDWAY – Can you answer: Why?
Divetalking has posted on this subject before but we thought the importance of its message should be shared as a reminder, once again. Please spend a moment of your time to watch this short video of the impact we have on this planet. Can you, will you step forward to speak up? Will anything you say or do matter? MIDWAY a Message from the Gyre : a short film by Chris Jordan from Midway on Vimeo. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conservation, Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, ocean, Photography, Preservation, Recognition, Reference, Report
Hong Kong Taking Steps to protect Sharks and Blue Fin Tuna
              [singlepic id=973 w=320 h=240 float=none] The Govt has taken steps to reduce consumption of shark fin soup and other goods which promote the harvesting of species such as Shark and Tuna. [singlepic id=939 w=220 h=140 float=none] [singlepic id=917 w=220 h=140 float=none] Through the sustainability-conscious food consumption guidelines, “commitment to the promotion of green living and sustainability, the Government pledges to adopt sustainability-conscious food consumption during official entertainment functions, which includes no consumption of shark fins.” Also stated “The Government … Read entire article »
Filed under: Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Fish, ocean, Preservation, Reefs, Reference, Report, Sharks, Tuna
Seized shark fins dumped in Pacific ceremony
              The Marshall Islands symbolically disposed of confiscated shark fins at sea Tuesday in a ceremony witnessed by regional leaders attending the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). [singlepic id=973 w=320 h=240 float=right] The gesture underscored the progress made towards protecting the marine predators since the Marshalls declared a two million square kilometre (770,000 square mile) shark sanctuary in 2011, Angelo Villagomez from the US-based Pew Charitable Trusts said. Villagomez said some commercial tuna fishermen still illegally cut the fins from … Read entire article »
Filed under: Divetalking, Earth, Education, extinction, Fish, ocean, Reference, Report, Sharks
New artificial reef dropped 15 miles off Marineland
By LORRAINE THOMPSON Special to The Record St. Augustine Beach resident Amy Kennedy spent more than a year planning her recent “cruises.” Kennedy, a project engineer for the Flagler County Engineering Department, spent two days on the Atlantic on commercial barges, where she oversaw the dumping of more than 800 tons of concrete at designated areas 15 miles offshore east of Marineland. Late Wednesday, the dumping site became the area’s newest artificial reef as the second and final load was dumped. The new Flagler reef coordinates are … Read the rest by clicking HERE … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Divetalking, Events, ocean, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Report
NE Florida Lionfish Derby, 2013
              [singlepic id=965 w=320 h=240 float=center] It was Friday August 23, 2013 and we met at Nippers for the required Captains Meeting. The room was filled with guest speakers and participants from all across Florida and part of Georgia. It would be the last opportunity to signup and participate in the Derby with awards as high as $1500.00 going to the team with the most lionfish. During the evening, speakers Walt Quinn (2013 Derby Director and proprietor), … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Boats, Contest, Diver, Divetalking, Donation, Earth, Education, Events, extinction, Featured, Fish, Games, Grouper, Lionfish, ocean, Open Water, Promotions, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Report